DESCRIPTION: A fast growing, deciduous, shrub or small tree up to 7-15 m tall and 30 cm in diameter. It has an umbrella shaped, open crown, white flowers and 15-45 cm long pods. USES: Benoil is mainly cultivated for its leaves and seeds. The leaves are a good source of calcium, other vitamins, minerals and protein. Seeds yield an oil used in paints and a nonsugar sweetener. The roots can be eaten as a substitute for horseradish. Pods, flowers, twigs and leaves can be used as mild flavourings. Young pods and leaves can be eaten. Roots, bark and leaves have medical properties. Powdered seeds act as a coagulant and can be used for water purification. The wood is used as fuel, timber, and plywood, and the tree can be planted for erosion control, and soil improvement. The species is also grown as an ornamental and often used in living fences. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. Coming into bearing 3-5 years after sowing. In northern India the flowers appear in January-March, and the new leaves appear in February-March. The fruits ripen in April-June, and the leaves fall in December-January. In southern India, flowers and fruits appear twice a year, so there are two crops, one in July-September and one in March-April. COMMON NAMES: Benoil tree, Horseradish-tree, Drum stick, Drumstick tree, Acacia blanca, Resed, Paraiso frances, Benzolive, Ben aile, Saijna, Midhosaragavo, Mungna, Nnoogay, Moriga, Achjhada, Munagha, Soanjna, Shob-hanjana, Morunga, Mulaga, Sahjnao, Sajma, Dandalonbin, Shajmah, Shajna, Segra, Moringa, Muringa, Sajina, Sanjma, Sobhanjana, Saragwo, Moringue aptere, Murungai, Malunggai, Malungai, Marunggay, Mikimbo, Kalumungii, Balungai, Doll, Araggapi, Arunggai, Balunggai, Kalunggai, Kamalunggai, Kamalunggi, Komkompilan, Malugai, Maronggoi. FURTHER INF.: Scientific synonym: M. pterygosperma, M. pterigosperma, M. moringa. Benoil tree is native of India and Arabia. It is tolerant of dry conditions and drought, but is susceptible to wind damage and very sensitive to waterlogging. It require a high ground water table where annual rainfall is below 300-400 mm. It is usually found on stream banks, in the savanna, and in gardens and fields. It can be found at elevations up to 900 m. Mentioned as a useful agroforestry species.